| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Poor cardiovascular fitness (CVF) is a risk factor for obesity, as well as insulin resistance (IR), inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. We have previously shown that a school-based fitness curriculum can improve CVF, as well as IR and body composition in obese children. Whether such a program improves CVF, IR, and other health indicators in non-obese children is unresolved. AIM: To determine whether a school-based fitness program improves body composition, CVF, markers of inflammation (e.g. CRP, TNF-alpha, adiponectin), and insulin sensitivity in nonobese children. STUDY DESIGN: 35 non-obese middle school children with body mass index below the 95th percentile for age were enrolled in a 'fitness-oriented' gym class. Children underwent fasting evaluation of insulin, glucose, adiponectin, CRP, TNF-alpha, body composition by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and maximal VO2 treadmill testing at baseline (prior to the school year) and again at end of the school year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Testing for CVF (maximal VO2 treadmill testing), DXA, and fasting evaluation of insulin, glucose, adiponectin, CRP and TNF-alpha. RESULTS: Children demonstrated a decrease in BMI z-score (-0.14 +/- 0.33, p = 0.02), HOMA-IR (-0.15 +/- 0.35, p = 0.016), and TNF-alpha (-2.55 +/- 1.79 pg/ml, p < 0.001), and an increase in VO2(max) (+1.58 +/- 2.34 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001), adiponectin (+7,553 +/- 11,100 ng/ml, p < 0.001), and muscle mass (+2,282 +/- 1,882.73 g, p < 0.001) after nine months of study. CONCLUSIONS: The school-based fitness oriented curriculum resulted in improved body composition and insulin sensitivity, increased CVF, and decreased inflammation in non-obese children. Combined with prior studies, these data demonstrate that school-based fitness curricula can benefit both obese and non-obese children. Partnerships with schools to promote fitness should be part of a public health approach to improving children's health. |
| Authors | Aaron L Carrel, Jennifer J McVean, R Randall Clark, Susan E Peterson, Jens C Eickhoff, David B Allen
(Affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital, Madison, WI 53792, USA. alcarrel at wisc.edu)
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| Journal | Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM
(J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab)
Vol. 22
Issue 5
Pg. 409-15
(May 2009)
ISSN: 0334-018X [Print] England |
| PMID | 19618659
(Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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| Chemical References |
- Adiponectin
- Biological Markers
- Blood Glucose
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
- Insulin
- C-Reactive Protein
|
| Topics |
- Adiponectin
(metabolism)
- Adolescent
- Biological Markers
(metabolism)
- Blood Glucose
(metabolism)
- Body Composition
(physiology)
- Body Weight
(physiology)
- C-Reactive Protein
(metabolism)
- Child
- Exercise
(physiology)
- Exercise Test
- Female
- Humans
- Insulin
(metabolism)
- Insulin Resistance
(physiology)
- Male
- Physical Fitness
(physiology)
- Program Evaluation
- Reference Values
- Risk Factors
- School Health Services
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Treatment Outcome
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
(metabolism)
|
